THEY say first impressions last a lifetime and we should always make them count. Added to this is the fact that we often don’t get a chance to make a second or third one.

What’s the first thing that you see when you meet someone? Is it their eyes? Their teeth? Their hair? Their smile? What is it? Chances are it’s all of the above.

The largest and most widespread organ of our bodies, the skin, is often overlooked and undernourished. It’s the first thing that most people tend to see, but the last thing we all think about. The face in particular, tells the most about our skin’s health and history. Are you taking care of it properly? Do you neglect it?

Here are a few tips to keep your face looking healthy, nourished and clear; to finally get rid of those pesky pimples, blackheads, acne scars, and discolorations that seemingly plague our beautiful faces.

1. Clean your face daily. Yes, this is the most basic of instructions when it comes on to skin care, but it is also very important. You need to cleanse your face approximately 2-3 times daily with warm water and your desired skin product. Gently massage your face with circular motions then rinse. And don’t forget to moisturise your face daily.

2. There are many things that collect dirt and can help irritate your skin and prolong acne. These include your hair, fingers, glasses, sunglasses, headbands, scarves and caps. These all collect dirt and oil that clog the pores and cause pimples to pop up. Keep your hair clean and out of your face in order to prevent additional dirt and oil from clogging your pores. Clean glasses and sunglasses frequently to keep oil from clogging the pores around the eyes and nose. Avoid touching your face with your fingers. Touching your face can spread the bacteria that causes pores to become inflamed and irritated. This can be combated and limited by washing your hands before touching or applying anything to your face, such as acne medication or treatment creams.

3. Clean your cellphone often. Leaning your face on objects that collect sebum and skin residue, like your phone, causes outbreaks and irritation. Avoid this by ensuring that you clean and disinfect your cellphone often. Some alcohol and a slightly dampened cotton pad or some hand sanitiser will do the trick.

4. Nourish and hydrate. Nutrition plays an important role in the care of your skin and face. Taking in the right nutrients in the right proportions and drinking lots of water can help reduce the oils that clog the pores. Not to mention, some nutrients provide that natural glow that makes your skin look amazing.

5. Protect your skin from the sun. While sunlight is useful in some cases, such as helping our bodies create Vitamin D, the sun also emits some harmful rays that damage and age the skin, leaving it looking discoloured and very dry. Wear sunscreen or sunblock with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 that blocks both UVA and UVB rays.

6. If all else fails… seek help. There may be some cases of acne that may be beyond basic skin care measures. When you notice that you’ve been actively taking care of your face and nothing seems to work for you, then it’s time for you to consult a dermatologist and see how best they can help. A dermatologist can help you find the treatment method that’s best for you and can also give you lots of useful tips for dealing with acne and caring for your skin type.